Arizona running back Ka'Deem Carey has a great opportunity to show a heck of a lot of people why he landed on several All-America lists -- including first-team Walter Camp -- and why he should get some Heisman buzz in 2013.

We all know that he's the national leader in rushing with 1,757 yards, 20 touchdowns and an impressive 6.4 yards per carry. But people are going to tune into the Gildan New Mexico Bowl for several reasons. For starters, it's the first game of the bowl season -- kicking off next Saturday at 4 p.m. ET. So he'll have an opportunity for the whole country to be watching (yes, even East Coast people won't be asleep yet).

Second, Nevada running back Stefphon Jefferson is right behind Carey in the national rankings, coming in at No. 2 with 1,703 yards, 22 touchdowns and an average of 5 yards per carry. People are going to tune in to watch the only 1,700-yard rushers in FBS football go head-to-head.

Carey has risen to prominence this season with his explosive running, his ability to break tackles and his overall consistency. He's gone for at least 100 yards in nine games, and four times he's had at least 150 yards on the ground. Not to mention his Pac-12 record-setting performance against Colorado -- a 366-yard day that included five touchdowns and a whopping 14.6 yards per carry.

The Pac-12 has plenty of stars on display during the bowl season. But few have skyrocketed as quickly in 2012 as Carey. And what he does to close out 2012 could make him a national star heading into 2013.